The winter season is when many critters look for shelter and escape the cold temperatures outdoors when there are harsh weather conditions. Unfortunately, this means they often find their way into the home or garage, which can affect how at ease and comfortable you feel in the building. If you want to keep pests out of your home this winter, there are a few important tips to follow to safeguard your home.
Seal the Home
Sealing your home can prevent bugs and pests from entering the building through cracks and holes that are present. Caulk all cracks that are present near the kitchen fixtures and in every bathroom.
Walk around the outside of the building with a flashlight and have someone else inside of the home who can spot any areas where the light is coming through. This will show you if there are any gaps present that need to be sealed.
Change Your Habits
There are a few bad habits you may have that are attracting bugs throughout the season. Avoid leaving piles of firewood out on your property, which is a common place where critters can hide. If you need to store firewood, keep it at least three feet away from the home. If recycling bins are present in the garage or on the side of the house, avoid tossing out anything that has leftover food in it, which includes soda cans.
Perform Home Maintenance
Routine home maintenance is crucial throughout the winter to avoid attracting bugs to the building. Inspect the siding on the home to look for areas that need to be repaired or replaced. You should also replace any broken vent covers to seal off the home.
Cleaning the rain gutters is also necessary because termites can hide in the debris and start to make their way onto other areas of the building. Remove the leaves and twigs that accumulate throughout the season.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
One of the best steps you can take to avoid attracting pests in the winter is to keep your kitchen clean throughout the day. Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink, and empty the trash at least once each day. The smells from the food and waste can attract cockroaches and mice.
Get in the habit of wiping the counters once or twice each day to remove crumbs or spills that are present. Avoid leaving baked goods sitting out on the counter, and keep everything sealed. You may even need to keep some types of fruit in the fridge to prevent it from attracting bugs.
Sweeping or vacuuming the floors at the end of the day is also important to remove any crumbs or small food particles.
Schedule Pest Control
Make it a point to contact a local pest control company to have your home sprayed for pests to keep them away. A pest control company will know what areas need to be treated both inside and outside of the building. The treatment may cost money, but is more affordable than treating large infestations that can develop throughout the season. It can also offer you with peace of mind knowing you don’t have to encounter a lot of creepy crawlers in different parts of your home until spring arrives.
Knowing the right steps to take to keep your home secure and prevent bugs from finding their way in is necessary to ensure your home is safe and habitable. You can reduce the risk of more severe infestations and protect the structural integrity of your building.
